Sunderland City Council’s smart city team aimed to enhance digital connectivity and accessibility for residents and visitors to the city. The goal was to ensure everyone could get online easily, thereby boosting economic activity and encouraging innovation across our city.
Sunderland’s vision for improved digital accessibility led to the creation of a free, superfast, and reliable outdoor Wi-Fi network, thanks to the partnership between Sunderland City Council and Boldyn Networks.
Initially launched in December 2019, the Wi-Fi service began in Keel Square and High Street West, and expanded to the wider city centre and the coastal stretch between Roker and Seaburn six months later.
By Autumn 2023, a new partnership with the University of Sunderland enabled the integration of EduROAM into the city’s outdoor Wi-Fi network, providing seamless, secure connectivity for students, educators, and researchers. This expansion has significantly broadened the network’s reach and reliability.
The impact of Sunderland’s free outdoor Wi-Fi network has been substantial.
From March to May 2024, the network averaged 50,853 connections per month, illustrating its widespread use and importance. Spanning 4.5km across the City Centre and Roker, the network helps combat digital exclusion, providing superfast, free internet access to thousands.
The integration with the University of Sunderland’s EduROAM network further enhances its utility, especially for the academic community.